AEG CEO criticizes downtown Los Angeles stadium skeptics

by AP

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The CEO of the company seeking to build an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles is lashing out at skeptics who express doubt about the value of such venues to their regions' economies.

AEG chief Tim Leiweke said at a conference on sports arenas Tuesday that it was time for the stadium industry to fight back against politicians and academics who cause the public to fear stadium projects.

He says big arena projects can't expect public funding in the United States so officials need to be cheerleaders for private sector players who want to build them.

AEG has promised to foot the entire bill of at least $1 billion for its proposed Los Angeles venue. Some City Council members and others have been skeptical of the plan.